Oh man, the Yardbirds. Boy do I have a story. We have ZIA records stores in Arizona, and they have new, but mostly used music. My buddies and I used to have a challenge where we would pick a letter from the Alphabet, and had to buy an album from a band that started with the letter your buddy picked out for you that you have never heard before. It was fun, and a great way to experience different music. And “The” was excluded, to make it fair. I got Y. And when I saw The Yardbirds, and how old it was, I bought it. Best part of the story though was this... A week later, I was picking up a buddy of mine from the airport. It was pretty dead, so went to the magazine/gift shop Reading Guitar Magazines. Then, this guy with a huge black hat, black trench coat, black shirt, black jeans, and black boots, reads the same magazine next to me. And there was an article about the Yardbirds in it. It was Alice Cooper, and he just finished doing a radio show and was flying out to do another one. I asked him, “Hey, you don’t happen to be Alice Cooper, do you?” 🤣 Alice’s response, “Why, yes, Yes I do”. I was like, “Cool”. He asked me what I was reading, and I mentioned the article about the Yardbirds, and the challenge my buddies and I have, and I bought a CD of theirs. He was surprised Me being 19 at the time, I even knew they existed, lol. We both got some coffee, sat down, and chatted about music for 10 minutes before his flight left. And that’s how I got introduced to the Yardbirds.

Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck , Ritchie Blackmore, Peter Green, Keith Richards and Brian May were all born within 30 miles of each other. Also Pete Townshend, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Peter Frampton & Andy Latimer.

When Mick Jagger introduced The Beatles induction into the RnR HOF, he thanked them for opening up the doors for all the British bands that followed. That is one place to start in analyzing The Beatles’ influence.

Page was always my guy (studio-wise, anyway), but out of the three, Beck is the only one who seems to have constantly improved his technique over the years.

Deep Purple and Black Sabbath were huge inspirations for me, to play guitar. They created new genres of music.

I think you could make a pretty good argument for Chuck Berry being more influential to rock than Cream or The Beatles. They were all using his licks. John was using his lyrics lol.

I love how Rick always listens to his guests and keeps it real!

sad thing thou, few people talk about Iommi or Blackmore, they single handedly-created whole genres of guitar rock music still blooming today.

The Ventures was a guitar band. "With over 110 million albums sold worldwide, the group remains the best selling instrumental rock group of all time."(Wikipedia)

Even though I agree I find one thing interesting. The Beatles were so influential that you had to say in beginning that it is NOT the beatles. I think that is kinda telling

I saw Jeff and Jimmy in their first U.S. Yardbird's concert (August 5, 1966). Jimmy was playing bass, and his playing was so unique and joyful, it was unlike any other bassist I'd ever heard. And to have Jeff Beck on the same stage! Mind blown.

This is so typical of any top guitarist debates that Ritchie Blackmore is so sadly forgotten yet he inspired so many guitarists and Deep Purple were at the forefront of heavy rock. Also they were brilliant musicians as their live gigs bare evidence and 'Child In Time' was a game changer...

For me it was The Allman Brothers Band for guitar...

Sorry- feed back in “I Feel Fine”, recording guitars backwards on “Revolver” all the incredible riffs like Day Tripper, Ticket to Ride, early hard rock like “Paperback Writer” predating all the groups mentioned. Nobody influenced EVERYONE like the Beatles.

Great episode! I could listen to you guys talk music history for EVER!! Have always been fascinated about the fact that all of these amazing guitarist all came from the same place, playing together and inspiring each other to greatness. An incredible moment in time for sure. And I truly hate people that steal guitars! I had purchased a 74 white custom in 1974. My first new guitar. Was so beautiful. It was stolen 2 years later. That just killed me. I didn't realize that the guitarist Dave mentioned all played 74 white customs as well. Now it hurts even more. :( A few years later my black beauty was stolen from a club and in another year two sunburst were stolen. Again, I truly hate people that steal guitars. Buy your own damn guitars! Thanks again for another amazing episode! I know it's old but I love going through all of your vids! Thx Rick! Thank you Keith! Love your channel too! Thx Dave!

Thanks. I'm 71 and English and this is a great way to walk down memory lane. But don't forget Hank B. Marvin and Peter Greene!

If the key concept is INFLUENCE, the answer(s) go back to the big 3: The bands of Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly. THAT defines "influential." Everything else flows from that deep well~~~~~

Led Zeppelin was The New Yardbirds and they changed their name.

Jimi hendrix,jimmy page & Richie blackmore are gods of rock guitarists

I loved what Dickey and Duane were doing. What Dickey did post Duane was just as amazing. His instrumentals are wicked.

My uncle got a mention, wow

Buddy Holly...hear me out! Clapton had to have a Strat because he saw him with one. It was a country guitar before. The Beatles harmonized because of him. He wrote his own stuff before it was fashionable. Hendrix, again the Strat. He was a starting point and an influence with relatively few hits.

Great job. Love the conversational feel of these videos. Keep 'em coming!

Ten Years After. Most influential for those who _experienced_ them, and that includes all the guitarists you mention.

The Beatles had a tremendous impact on pop music (pop rocked before rock popped). They were one of the first bands who had immensely popular hits written/composed and performed live and on record. As a veritable self contained unit. This helped change the focus from songwriters and production to bands.They also stand out as a band not rooted in American blues music. They focused on melody and were more influenced (I think) by British Music Hall and Skiffle. They also eschewed "blues riff" based songs for chords. Somewhere in Tommy James autobiography, he cites the impact (major) on him as an artist/band performing songs written by others as he realized the Beatles represented the future of Rock and Roll. I have seen other artists pointing our the same thing--the Beatles were a game changer.

Cream was a jazz trio... but nobody told Eric.

I like what was said about the Velvet Underground. "The first record only sold 10,000 copies, but EVERYONE who bought a copy formed a band."

At the same time as the Yardbirds, another band called John Mayall's Bluesbreakers has a claim to fame. In and out of the Bluesbreakers went Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie and Mick Taylor, among others. Aynsley Dunbar played drums with the Bluesbreakers.

Rick how come Terry Kath gets no love in the guitar community? He had monster chops!

The Beatles gave us "Every Little Thing" and a few other similar songs, which were the prototypes for janglepop like the The Byrds,Tom Petty and later 80's Alt rock such as REM, The Smiths and XTC. Jagger and Richards observing Lennon and McCartney writing "I Wanna Be Your Man" inspired them to forge a great songwriting partnership. Brian Wilson hearing Rubber Soul and immediately going to work on Pet Sounds. They inspired Dylan to go electric.They turned the album into an art form and not just something full of filler, which led to a huge change into the public buying more LP's over singles. They were pioneers in world music and its blend into Western Music. Their studio innovations are 2nd to none. Their influence can still be heard in bands like Radiohead, Soundgarden, Oasis, Nirvana etc

Absolutely great content. Love the positive jocular vibe. I totally dug it and miss this type of tune talk like I used to do CONSTANTLY with my dope head rock friends as a Detroit rocker, banging my head on the stage at Cobo.

Roy Buchanan nobody ever gives this incredibly talented guitarist enough credit most people forget him because he didn't play stadiums but as far as insane...Roy Buchanan was so far ahead of his time

It's The Beatles because they not only influenced tons of kids in the 60's to start rock bands, but they are always cited as big influences to musicians of all genres and even today's most successful artists 50 plus years later.

Beatles most influential band of the 60's ... Zeppelin most influential band of the 70's .

I was so pleased that my school friend convinced a bunch of us to get tickets to see Jeff Beck at Memorial Drive, Adelaide in 1977. What an artist.

Lucky to have grown up in London during the embryonic period of bands like Yardbirds, Faces, Floyd, often in small locations - pubs (bars) - and it was fascinating to see other band members sitting and watching a show and them all getting together after to share drinks, drugs and song ideas.

Talking of the non-sequitur Rick, I have to say Deep Purple comes to mind. Deep Purple are one of the most underrated bands, when you think of the influence they've had on so many artists. Not only that, but so many artists talk about Deep Purple as one of their big influences. Purple almost defined the early prog Rock scene, moving into the early heavy rock scene, and you can't talk about Sabbath, and bands of that ilk without talking about Purple. I know you don't mention them much work on here, but Ritchie Blackmore as an influential guitarist, and certainly one who epitomises the random playing style and solo'ing that you talk of often, as so important when playing lead sections - especially live. I don't think Ritchie Blackmore has ever played the same solo twice. And what a guitarist. Roger Glover, what's a bassist and producer. Ian paice, left-handed, and an awesome drummer who takes his influences from Jazz. And incredible vocals from Ian Gillan. Please do a video talking about Deep Purple Rick, or at least mention them in one of your up-and-coming videos on what makes this song great, as a Purple track would be most welcome in the series. (And while we're talking about what makes this song great, maybe a Genesis track if you think there is one worthy of inclusion in the series..) Loving your videos though Rick, awesome, as always. I love hearing your conversations, and I loved hearing your insights into music and your teachings, as I learnt so much, even as an experienced producer of 30 years. So a big thank you from me!

I remember the first time I heard Jeff Beck and “People Get already,” it was on a Rod Stewart tape my mom played in the car. Blew my mind as a kid and still does today.

Hey Rick, have you done a 'what makes this song so great' episode about Listen to the Music by the Doobie Brothers? I have been listening to that song lately and it just rocks! The bass, drums and guitar really create a happy mood.

Rick, these little talks you guys keep having, are the most interesting thing on KZfaq right now. Maybe just because you always talk about the things that interest me, but I keep finding myself sitting, and listening for hours. Keep it up. If I'm not playing my guitar, I'm listening to people talk about it. Go figure.... And, I like your friends. I'm 67, and have played guitar since I was 11. I was taking lessons from a teacher who played in country bands, and was teaching us country. Nothing wrong with country, and I now listen to Country about 50% of the time and rock 50%. But one day an older kid came into class early, and started playing Gloria. It blew my mind, and I quit lessons and started a band. One of the best moves of my life. I was immediately influenced by Steppenwolf. But most of the music in those days was the Kinks, The Stones, The Doors. It was the greatest time to be a 13 year old boy ever. The guitar is one the greatest inventions of all time. Keep on spreading the word.

But would the Yardbirds achieve success (especially in America) if it weren't for the Beatles? Would the British Invasion even had happened at all if it weren't for them?

I would desperately love a video all about breaking down Jeff Beck's style, I will personally watch that video 100 times if you make it

Why do you never talk about Deep Purple? They had a massive impact on music, both as Deep Purple and all the bands they spawned later on

What a great conversation piece, thank you gents!

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be .... What a stimulating discussion. Loved it. ~I don't know the whereabouts of the Beano guitar but I Do have a couple of yarns you might like. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - I spent a night in the cells back in 83, cold and damp it was, British summer. Broken window where the rain came in. Getting a cup of tea was a major chore. They just loved to bug hippie types. I got to whistling Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, the reverb down there in the cells was just right for it. Whistling and whistling, occasional stop to call for a cuppa. No luck After about an hour, the Whole police station was whistling it too, in time, in unison. Nobody was working. Eventually one of them brought me a cup of tea and told me to shut the f@@k up with that awful whistling …. Unobtanium Fenders in the 60s. I met this old drummer in Swansea. Bob Burnard, I was dating his daughter at the time, lovely girl. He was in a band in London in the 60s. Getting drum lessons from Jim Marshall. Rudiments and all that. Well, his band, I can't recall their name, started to do well for themselves and they were dead keen to get some Fenders for the band. As you mentioned the British import ban made them very rare. As they were going up in the world they had been earmarked for a share of the next consignment. Probably some dodgy smuggling deal engineered by music biz executives. The day finally came and there were three “Sets” of Fenders . Each set comprised a Strat, a Tele and a Precision. The reds went to the Shadows, the blues went to Johnny Kid and the Pirates , and Bob's band got the white set. Bob's band landed a load of movie work. Paid very well. Very well for the time, but didn't lead to stardom like the reds and the blues. Bob DID audition for the drummer's seat in little unknown rock trio but they though this style was too formal. Mitch Mitchell got that job... Bob kept going to Jim Marshall for drum lessons though and they became good friends. Bob related to me the tale of his helping Jim make speaker cabinets out the back of the shop where Jim was trying to see what speaker configuration could handle the crazy output of his new amplifier that he'd had built. They tried all sorts of speaker arrangement and tested them to destruction. Long soak testing. 4x10s, 2x15s, all sorts. Nothing couldn't take it. BUT the 4X12s survived. And so the Marshall 4x12 was born. Just think. If Goodmans 15” speakers had been a little more robust, we'd all be playing rock guitar through 2x15 cabs … Spooky huh ? Long after Bob had moved to Swansea, South Wales, to work as a toolmaker; Jim Marshall would send a crate of goodies down to Bob every now and then. With Marshall's association with Goodmans speaker, later Celestion, they'd regularly be sending Jim examples of their latest Hi-Fi and stuff. Jim would pass the surplus on to his friends and family. So Bob was never short of a nice sound system. Jim would send band gear down as well occasionally. Bob gave me a couple of goodies from his “crate collection”. An old Sound City 50 PA head, all valve. I used it for a while then sold it to a student in the Performing Arts college I found myself working at. The prize though was a lovely old Selmer Treble'n'Bass 50 Mk II head with F.ALL stencilled on it. I still have that one, needs recapping now though. I think I washed the stencil off IIRC. Probably knocked a bit off the value off it doing that. Yarns concluded ...

Zeppelin was the most influential- from drums, guitar to vocals. They changed everything, even the way bands were managed.

Yes, there can be a universalality but it depends of when you lived and what genre or genres you were a fan of. I'm 53 and for me it was Rush. I play guitar and Alex Lifeson who often gets left off the great guitar player lists or if on them is near the bottom. IMO, he is the best all around guitarist. Rush is one of the most unique sounding bands ever. So there you go.

Iommi wasn’t in The Yardbirds, yet Sabbath went on to inspire an entire Genre of music 🎶. That’s way bigger than inspiring a teenager to tryout the guitar like the Yardbirds did. Earlier commenters said, and I agree, Hank Marvin and the Shadows Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. The influenced Iommi.

the most controversial Rick Beato video

John Mayell's Bluesbreakers featured Eric​ Clapton ( it was at this time that Clapton played a Les Paul through a Marshall amp) who went on to form Cream, replaced by Peter Green went on to form Fleetwood Mac with someone also with Mayall at that time , Mick Fleetwood and fellow Bluesbreaker John McVie . Green was replaced by Mick Taylor who later left to join The Rolling Stones. Aynsley Dunbar , soon to join Jeff Beck. Andy Frazer was with the Bluesbreakers for a short time , but went on to join Free. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, crucial to Blues Rock and the idea of the guitar hero.

Led Zeppelin owned the 70"s every band out there were chasing Zeppelin, I think they should win this contest easily. God Bless my dear friend John Henry Bonham .

Great discussion. I think Thin Lizzy was another great influential guitar band. A number of solid guitarists of which Gary Moore is my favorite.

Amazing how many comments missed or ignore the “Guitar” in the title.

Great episode Rick. You guys mentioned John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Clapton coming through it but I think it deserves a mention as close to the Yardbirds as most influential guitar 'birthing' band. 3 of the top players with Mayall were Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Or course there were many others such as Harvey Mandel but those 3 are up there in the pantheon of guitarists.

Rick how about a video “what if John Bonham did not die ?”

I'd say the one of most influential Rock guitar players is Jimmy Page (there are many) - he started as a session player, then the Yardbirds, which later led to Led Zeppelin.

If the emphasis is on "guitar" (title is Guitar Band after all) you could make the argument that The Allman Brothers were up there too, just like Yardbirds. They spawned Duane, Dicky Betts and Derek Trucks .. and Warren Haynes is a damn good guitarist too but not quite like the other three. Love the video. Thanks man.

The two most influential bands of all time are The Beatles and Led Zeppelin!! I’ll fight anyone who disagrees!!

I'd just like to add these names to your Yardbirds discussion: Keith Relf, vocals and harmonica, Chris Dreja, rhythm guitar, and Paul Samwell-Smith, bass. They were the core of the Yardbirds through all the guitarist changes.

I’m in the first 20 seconds and I know it’s gonna be a great video when you have Keith, Rick, and Dave!!!

Cream. The live solo on Crossroads/Wheels of Fire is a piece of anthology that must have haunted every rock guitar player...!

I'm going to have to disagree with you guys on this one. While I can appreciate that Page, Clapton, and Beck, were all in the Yardbirds, that BAND was mildly successful when compared to the influence of their individual careers.

Good discussion. Love the history on those guitars.

This was such an interesting conversation to watch!

I agree with the Yardbirds theory but I think Led Zeppelin was the most influential overall, at least for me.

The Yardbirds is the philosophical answer b/c of who and what was derived from the group. but the straight forward no bullshit answer is and will always be Led Zeppelin. From the iconic sound of Page's guitar to Bonzo's drums, Plant's vocals and even Jonesy's bass playing and instrument versatility. It will never be matched ever again, period, full stop; every band that came after them and even many bands during their time tried to emulate them and no one has come close.

The Big Three were amazing in the Yardbirds and beyond. But, the Beatles were the Big Bang for guitar bands that were self-contained; that is that wrote and played their own music. They were the prototype. Add to that the amazing sustained quality of their output throughout their career, and it's the Beatles by three lengths.

Great content, Rick.

The question should begin, "Other than the Beatles.....

Often overlooked Don Felder from the Eagles is one of my favorites, but my very biggest influence is Koss,.Fly Free Brother.

The Yardbirds were one kick-ass band! Saw them live a couple times mid-late '60s and even though I was a drummer at the time, I was blown away by Jeff Beck...

Great conversation! The early reference to Hendrix and how other guitar players at the time were in awe of him reminded me of a comment Jimi supposedly made about Terry Kath of Chicago. I read somewhere that he heard Chicago in a club and remarked that Kath was better than him. Could you imagine if both Hendrix and Kath had lived on into the '80s and '90s, or even past 2000?

Damn, for a second I thought it's Jack Black on the right

Used to make my roommates crazy in college in the 80s. I listened to Wired and Blow by Blow nonstop.

Wow I can’t believe this was 40 minutes I love these type of conversations they just fly by

Clapton extended his influence through his Crossroads concerts where many top guitarists joined him. Imagine Clapton, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, Jimmy Vaughn, Robert Cray, Hubert Sumlin, Johnny Winter - all together on the same stage at the same time. He also plays with many other musicians, and in his concerts, he stands back and let the guest performer take the spotlight.

Elvis with Scotty Moore on Guitar influenced all these guys! And Chet Atkins was the bomb

I'm going to disagree right off the bat and go with the Shadows. Hank Marvin, at the time, influenced EVERYONE in the UK and inspired everyone there to get a Strat. I think he's easily overlooked here in the states.

You asked guitar bands.All you have to do is spin Allman Brothers At Fillmore East with Duane An d Dickey bouncing off each other while making the greatest live album in rock history! Magnificent doesn't say enough. This question was very easy to answer..

absolutely agree, the yardbirds were out of this world, such a brutal band for that time

Sorry, no other band can beat this: THE BEATLES on Ed Sullivan show, february 9th, 1964. Watched by 73 million people, and spawning hundreds of bands.

Led Zeppelin were originally called the New Yardbirds.

The Allman Brothers at Fillmore East!! Redefining Electric Slide forever!!

Great video gentlemen!

They went a little deeper about the most influential guitar band. But many would agree that Led Zeppelin is actually the most influential one because of the voice, guitar, bass and drums. Zep inspired a lot of the bands from the 80's, 90's and 2000's and I think they still do.

I love your friend’s Pretenders shirt! ❤️🙌🏼

The Beatles have had the biggest impact. Behind them, it might be sabbath.

Beatles for rock. Yardbirds for guitar players. There’s a difference. The Beatles influenced genres and bands outside of rock.

10 minutes through and haven't heard yet about the best of them all, peter green and my heart's aching.

Jimi Hendrix! He was the whole package. Song writing, playing, improvising, sonic innovator, performer, transcendent musician. The greatest loss to Rock music and beyond. RIP James Marshall(coolest middle name ever too) Hendrix Thanks Rick Keith and Dave

I love this!! I was fortunate enough to see Jeff Beck in 2016 and bought the tickets where me, a friend, and around 30 other people got to get a private concert (sound check!!) of Jeff Beck (ZZ Top was also on the bill) and we were just hanging out right at the front row of the venue and when I got to see Jeff Beck play People Get Ready instrumental and the vocals were NOT MISSED!! That song ALWAYS killed me because of the touch!! (Little did I know how great his touch actually is) I could have went home after that and had the sense that I saw one of the greatest guitar players ever. It was phenomenal and I got to say "Thank YOU!!" while Jeff Beck looked at me and he nodded and mouthed 'thank you' back. And SRV?? I could write a book on how important he was to me. One of the best inprovs I have seen Rick and his friends do. Plus a bonus to see Mr. Five Watt chime in! The musical intelligence in that room is very inspiring.

Hey Rick! When you guys were talking about the Yardbirds in your video, it made me think of this movie that came out in 1967 (I believe) called Blow Up. It’s about a London art student that ironically takes a picture of a murder. Not a very good movie, but the best part is where he takes a date to a night club, where the Yardbirds are playing! Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck are on stage, Beck’s guitar cord connection screws up, he smashes his guitar on stage and kicks the detached neck out in the audience! Check it out sometime. 🎸

The Yardbirds might be the most influential band for guitar players (although that's up for debate), but when you're talking about rock music in general it has to be the Beatles. Their musical legacy is unmatched.

In that case, why not John Mayall's Blues Breakers outright? Clapton, Mick Green (Fleetwood Mac) Mick Taylor (the Stones mk.II) AND Walter Trout. Mayall, the "Grandfather" of the London Blues scene, was the one with the record collection Clapton was listening to! Atlantic records signed Jimmy Pages's new project (Led Zeppelin) as a replacement for Cream, their original Brit blues-rock band. Speaking of Les Pauls trivia: Clapton bought his guitar from Andy Summers (he's not that young) who had already realized he wasn't destined to be a Blues player.

ZEPPELIN NO CONTEST.

Seeing Dave wearing the Pretenders tee... I would love to hear you guys talk about James Honeyman-Scott, one of the brightest candles to burn in our world. His playing and choice of guitars were sublime.

Not the Beatles? Seriously?

Sabbath spawned an entire genre.

In the early 70's, I asked a very accomplished guitar player to show me some blues licks.. He looked at me and said... "go out and buy the Derek and the Dominos Layla album, and learn very lick, cause every blues and rock lick you will want to learn is on that album". I paraphrased a bit.. but you get the meaning.